Train services through Southampton will be disrupted from today due to essential rail maintenance.
Network Rail will carry out engineering works in the Eastleigh area this Easter weekend between Friday, April 3 and Monday, April 6, closing the line between Winchester and St Denys.
This route is a key rail corridor for both passenger and freight services.
George Murrell, route renewals director who spoke on behalf of South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, said: "These improvements will provide better journeys for customers and a more reliable railway for freight, heading to one of the country’s busiest and most important freight terminals in Southampton."
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During the closure, trains between London Waterloo and Weymouth, which stop at Southampton Central, will be diverted via Guildford and Havant, resulting in longer journey times.
Services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour via Eastleigh will terminate at Winchester.
Passengers travelling between Winchester and Southampton Central will need to use replacement bus services, which will also serve stations including Shawford, Eastleigh, and Southampton Airport Parkway.
The maintenance will focus on switches and crossings, which allow trains to change tracks, to improve reliability and reduce the risk of failures.
Passengers are advised to check their journeys in advance and allow extra time while the works are taking place.
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